Ardella Willis, saw good in everyone

IF YOU SAID something negative about someone, Ardella Willis would be quick to come back with something positive about the person.

She had a knack for spotting the good in everybody, even those whom others might find difficult to like.

She wouldn't criticize you for your opinion; she would just quietly point out the good quality she had discovered.

"The key word about her was 'gentle,' " a family member said.

Ardella Senor Willis, who worked for a time for a bank but whose true vocation was caring for her family, died April 29. She was 87 and lived in Overbrook Park.

In addition to finding the good in everyone, Ardella had a knack for making people just feel good.

"Ms. Willis was truly a jewel," said Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati, a literary consultant, founder of the African American Children's Book Project and a longtime friend.

"Producing events can be stressful," Lloyd-Sgambati said, "but a telephone conversation with Ms. Willis would always keep me focused on my goals and give me the encouragement to keep moving forward.

"If she read an article, saw me on television or heard my voice on the radio, it was always filled with compliments on a job well done.

"If Ms. Willis' name was placed in a thesaurus - kind, thoughtful, encouraging and positive mind-set would be a few of the words to describe her. She could always find the good in a negative situation."

Ardella was a big fan of Lloyd-Sgambati, said Ardella's daughter Anita "Toni" Willis.

"She kept all the clippings about her activities," said Toni, onetime secretary for singer Teddy Pendergrass and press agent for Marvin Gaye.

"She was sweet as sugar," Toni said of her mother. "She loved unconditionally, her family and friends. She was always there to give encouragement."

She was also very generous and "would give you the last thing she had," her daughter said.

Ardella was born in Salem, N.J., to Cora Johnson and Irving Price. When Ardella was 8, the family moved to Baltimore. She received her early education in the public schools of New Jersey and Maryland.

On July 21, 1940, she married Francis Eugene Willis Sr. and they eventually settled in Philadelphia. Her husband, a railroad worker, died in 2000.

Ardella worked for a time for the former Girard Bank, now Citizens Bank.

"Ardella's main focus was her family," her daughter said. "She loved being a wife and mother - considering it to be the 'best job' she ever had."

She and her family joined Vine Street Baptist Church in 1944. In 1998, she joined Vine Memorial Baptist Church, 56th Street and Girard Avenue, of which she remained a member for the rest of her life.

Lloyd-Sgambati, whose latest venture was the 17th annual African-American Children's Book Fair at Community College of Philadelphia in February, said that Ardella was exceptionally well-read "and we had some heartfelt discussions about books."

Ardella was also a champion cook, whose meatloaf and corn pudding were family favorites.

A niece, Stephanie, wrote a poetic tribute to her aunt: To Aunt Ardella, a lovely smile, a gentle touch, these are the things we'll miss so much.

Besides her daughter, she is survived by a son, Francis Eugene Willis Jr.; another daughter, Linda Fuller; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services: Were Thursday. Burial was in Rolling Green Memorial Park, West Chester. *